Minecraft Launcher is the official Mojang client for starting Minecraft on Windows, so there is no need for a third-party tool. This page covers version 2.0.0.0, a 2.1 MB file that costs nothing and needs Windows 10 or later. The installer is fetched from launcher.mojang.com.
Who needs Mojang's launcher on Windows 10
The launcher suits anyone who plays Minecraft on a Windows 10 or later PC. Mojang publishes it as the official entry point for Minecraft, a sandbox voxel game.
It is tagged with Minecraft Java, Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends.
What the launcher does in practice
Its job is to start the game. Exploring your own world, surviving the night and building freely describe the game itself, not launcher tools.
Cost, licence and size limits
The launcher is free and uses a proprietary licence, so the source code is not open. At 2.1 MB it is a small download. It was last updated on October 4, 2025.
Minecraft Launcher pros and cons
Pros
- Published by Mojang as the official Minecraft launcher
- Free to download
- Small 2.1 MB package
- Download goes to the official host launcher.mojang.com
- Last updated October 4, 2025
Cons
- Proprietary licence, so the code cannot be inspected
- Closed source under a proprietary licence
- Its role is limited to starting the game
Is Minecraft Launcher safe?
The installer comes straight from Mojang's own server, launcher.mojang.com, and it is not stored here. Mojang publishes it under a proprietary license. Before running it, check that the address in your browser really is launcher.mojang.com.
How to install Minecraft Launcher
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Minecraft Launcher from the Start menu.
